Lent, Day Twenty-Eighth, Fourth Tuesday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Eighth, Fourth Tuesday of Lent
Jesus can be called Teacher in the fullest sense of the word precisely because He did not cling to His prerogatives but became one of the many who have to learn. His life makes it clear to us that we do not need weapons, that we do not need to hide ourselves or play competitive games with each other. Only he who is not afraid to show his weaknesses and who allows himself to be touched by the tender hand of the Teacher will be able to be a real student.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Creative Ministry, pg 56

Scripture:
¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’^[a]”
²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mark 10:17-22

PRAYER
Teacher God, touch my heart with understanding so that I may discern your perfect ways and follow them. Many times your challenges seem overwhelming to me, and I slink silently away from them. Develop my capabilities so that I can follow you in spite of the sacrifices that you demand. Give me the grace to become a wise learner, one who is not a fiercely competitive game player but one who can humbly value and follow your truth. Amen.
 

LENTEN ACTION
Saint Antony, father of the monastic way of living, heard Jesus' words to "sell what you have, give the money to the poor, and come follow me" and did exactly that. He ended up alone in the desert. While we may be more like the young man than Saint Antony, at least make one significant contribution this Lent to aid the poor.